I saw him regularly in the morning on the lane, walking either in the same direction or in the opposite direction. We didn't know each other. After some days, however, our eyes met but it remained a brief encounter, without any communication.
Then the eyed decided to meet longer and speak. After some days, the meetings had their effect on our face. We exchanged smile and felt drawn to each other.
He was perhaps younger but walked with greater attention to the road. Finally we broke silence and spoke to each other. The talk continued to be brief for many days, but it became a regular feature.
He seemed to be a responsible citizen, concerned about garbage-free lanes, smooth roads free of potholes, functional footpaths, storm-water drains without obstructions. One day he disclosed how he , till a year ago, soon after his morning walk, contacted regularly the municipal authorities on deficiencies he noticed in his area .After some years he became aware that his persistent efforts were not being taken kindly. He realised he was considered as an obstinate complaining man.
He learnt hard way and made peace with deficiency. I felt sorry; but couldn't tell him whether it was right to be a concerned citizen. We gradually walked together. After some distance he would take a different turn and was then home bound.
A few days ago I found him walking slow. He surely was having a problem on his right leg. I felt concerned. He spoke to me on the issue. He had sprained his leg while walking, perhaps absent minded. The right leg had got into a pothole. I was sad.
He came out with a strange explanation. He said, " I know, even inanimate objects like potholes, the garbage, the iron pipes dumped on the footpath, the abandoned wooden cabins on the side of lanes have mind of their own. They know their sympathisers and detractors. They love their patrons. One day a pothole decided to teach me a lesson and made me fall into it."
I looked at him in disbelief. Cynicism was writ large on his face. I realised how an insensitive environment wrecked havoc on a healthy mind.
*******
Then the eyed decided to meet longer and speak. After some days, the meetings had their effect on our face. We exchanged smile and felt drawn to each other.
He was perhaps younger but walked with greater attention to the road. Finally we broke silence and spoke to each other. The talk continued to be brief for many days, but it became a regular feature.
He seemed to be a responsible citizen, concerned about garbage-free lanes, smooth roads free of potholes, functional footpaths, storm-water drains without obstructions. One day he disclosed how he , till a year ago, soon after his morning walk, contacted regularly the municipal authorities on deficiencies he noticed in his area .After some years he became aware that his persistent efforts were not being taken kindly. He realised he was considered as an obstinate complaining man.
He learnt hard way and made peace with deficiency. I felt sorry; but couldn't tell him whether it was right to be a concerned citizen. We gradually walked together. After some distance he would take a different turn and was then home bound.
A few days ago I found him walking slow. He surely was having a problem on his right leg. I felt concerned. He spoke to me on the issue. He had sprained his leg while walking, perhaps absent minded. The right leg had got into a pothole. I was sad.
He came out with a strange explanation. He said, " I know, even inanimate objects like potholes, the garbage, the iron pipes dumped on the footpath, the abandoned wooden cabins on the side of lanes have mind of their own. They know their sympathisers and detractors. They love their patrons. One day a pothole decided to teach me a lesson and made me fall into it."
I looked at him in disbelief. Cynicism was writ large on his face. I realised how an insensitive environment wrecked havoc on a healthy mind.
*******
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